(Third-person perspective)
Aermir proposed forming a hunting party, to which the Vale lords reacted differently. Lord Grafton frowned, expressing his concerns. "A hunting party during peace negotiations, Lord Drasil? Are we to celebrate while tensions persist? Our focus should be on securing a stable agreement and preventing further conflict."
Aermir smiled knowingly and replied, " Lord Grafton, I'm not suggesting a celebration. Rather, a short break in the form of a hunting party could offer us a chance to start afresh. A change of scenery might just be what we need to find common ground."
Lord Belmore's ears perked up at the mention of hunting, his interest piqued. He always enjoyed hunting feasts, and nodded in agreement, adding, "He's right. A short rest might help us negotiate with a clearer head. We can be distracted from these endless negotiations."
Jon Arryn, considering the atmosphere in the room, said, "A temporary distraction might ease the tension. After a short break, we can refocus and continue the discussion."
Eddard, always cautious, added, "We must be careful, but if it helps maintain a favorable atmosphere, I think a short break would be fine."
With the majority of lords agreeing, the meeting was adjourned temporarily so that everyone could gather outside the negotiation room to hunt.
Birdsong echoed through the Newkeep, providing a tranquil backdrop for the hunting party that was now engaged in their hunt. Due to their large number, they had split into several smaller groups.
Lord Stark was accompanied by his knights and some of Lord Arryn's knights. They walked through the bushes, the refreshing breeze carrying the scent of pine trees, which mingled with the earthy fragrance of the forest floor, making them feel invigorated.
As the group ventured deeper, Lord Stark's keen eyes spotted a fearsome boar; its massive form moved swiftly through the undergrowth, scratching at the woods with its tusks. Normally, before stabbing a boar with a spear, one would wound it to immobilize it, but Lord Stark wanted to test the spell gem Aermir had given him. He used the small gem, which turned to dust, but in that instant, he felt his speed and strength increase; though not as much as Aermir's own buff, he felt more powerful.
Lord Stark signaled to his knights, and together they formed an encirclement around the beast. Sensing danger, the boar snorted contemptuously and charged at Lord Stark with astonishing speed. Lord Stark met the boar's charge head-on.
He swiftly sidestepped, dodging the boar's tusks, and smoothly thrust his boar spear at the charging boar. The spear struck a vital spot, and the boar's momentum propelled it forward until it crashed into a tree. Lord Stark watched the scene calmly, his knights gathering around, nodding in approval of his skillful technique.
Some of the Arryn Knights recognized Eddard himself, for he had been Lord Arryn's adopted son, and they held Eddard in even greater awe than the others. They could hardly believe their eyes; Lord Stark had become faster and stronger. To them, despite his advanced age, Lord Stark appeared more agile and robust than in his youth.
Harrick, the captain of the paladins, moved intently through the bushes. Unlike the others in the hunting party, he chose to abandon traditional weapons and instead use more primitive methods.
His target was a mountain lion, an animal known for its ferocity. Its eyes gleamed with a primal light as it crouched in the bushes, aware of the impending threat. Harrick was not intimidated by its sharp teeth and claws, but instead approached it.
The paladins around him were filled with pride, confident of their captain's victory, but the Vale knights wore expressions of terror; they saw Ser Harrick as courting death. Just as Lord Stark had done, Harrick used two spell gems, one for empowerment and one for defense; and then power surged within him.
When the mountain lion leaped at him, Harrick displayed primal strength and unwavering courage. He engaged in a breathtaking struggle with the wildcat, his muscles bulging with exertion. The beast was stronger, but Harrick was heavier and larger, so he used these advantages to successfully pin the beast to the ground.
The gem's defenses were less than those of the Oak Shield spell, so the lion's claws were able to tear the gem apart and injure Harrick's arms and back as he used all his strength to hold the beast's neck.
He bled a little, but the wound looked more like a cat's scratch than a lion's claw mark. After a struggle, he managed to grab the beast's neck and decisively snapped it, killing it instantly.
The paladins erupted in cheers, applauding their captain's unparalleled feat. Harrick's chest heaved as he looked at the awe-inspiring faces of the Vale knights and soldiers. Harrick smiled. "Sometimes," he said with a wry smile, "The best way is to face the challenges of the wild alone."
A sense of dread crept into the hearts of the Vale dwellers who witnessed it all. As the hunting party continued through the Newkeep, the story of Harrick's victory with his bare hands became the focus of everyone's conversation.
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest, Lord Grafton and Lord Belmore strolled among the trees, discussing matters that were not suited to a polite atmosphere. As they spoke ill of each other about Aermir, Lord Grafton couldn't resist making a dull joke at Aermir's expense.
Lord Grafton laughed and said, " Belmore, did you see the arrogance of that barbarian? That lowly bastard thinks he's on equal footing with us now. I admit he's gained some power, but he couldn't have gained so much without his infidel master." Disgust twisted his features.
Lord Belmore commented. "I've heard that his late mother was a servant of Lord Stark."
Lord Grafton let out a hearty laugh and said, "A servant posing as a nobleman." He shook his head in disappointment and continued, "At least she knew her place; she died a servant. I bet if her mother knew how her son behaved before the nobles, she'd be turning over in her grave."
Belmore said, "Don't you think he's amazing?"
Lord Grafton replied, "That was before I met this beast; he was nothing but a savage."
Lord Belmore added, "He should continue to be a knight, just like his bastard father."
However, their joking stopped abruptly when they spotted several deer 60 meters away. They decided to approach the herd, and a pair of arrows pierced the air, narrowly missing Grafton and Belmore. The arrows struck two deer precisely in the eyes, killing them instantly.
Aermir emerged from the foliage, a menacing smile on his face. " Lord Grafton and Lord Belmore, it seems the forest isn't as forgiving as the negotiation room. Watch your words; here, they might provoke more than just discomfort."
Aermir's arrows came with fierce force and unerring accuracy, immediately shocking the two lords, who couldn't help but shudder at the sight of Aermir's precise and deadly archery. Lord Grafton, not to be outdone, drew courage from his numerical advantage. Aermir was alone, while they numbered 20.
"Are you threatening us?"
Aermir retorted with a fierce laugh, "No, of course not. I just mean, if you don't dare say anything to someone's face, you shouldn't complain about them behind their back like some lowly prostitutes."
Lord Grafton's blood boiled, and he roared in fury.
"Who are you calling a prostitute?!"
Aermir smiled even more broadly and said.
"Of course it's you, sir. I'm not the kind of coward who talks behind people's backs. Today, you made a serious mistake; you shouldn't have used your useless mouth to talk about my deceased parents. So, I will make you regret it."